THE Cordillera mountain range offers an indomitable call for people to climb its trails with a treat of fresh air and tranquility. This geographical uniqueness has sustained the tourism influx in the region over the years.
But in the blink of an eye, this momentum of sustained tourism arrival may be altered if safety and security of visitors is at risk.
Recently, the local government unit of La Trinidad in Benguet was alarmed after a tourist from Laguna was stabbed in broad daylight while descending Mt. Yangbew – a newly opened ecotourism site for hiking with a view of the valley.
The tourist with her friend, who serve as a guide likewise sustained several stab wounds but managed to survive the attack of two unidentified men.
According to police reports, the victims passed by the two suspects as they went up the trail around 2 p.m. On their way down around 3:30 p.m. the suspects were allegedly teasing them but the two women ignored them.
Several minutes later the suspects pounced on the two women, strangled them and declared a robbery. The suspects stabbed them several times before fleeing the scene.
Mt. Yangbew is within the territorial jurisdiction of Barangay Tawang in La Trinidad. It was opened as a commercial hiking site earlier in March together with other destinations such as Tayawan View Deck, Tinedkaw Cave, Stone Church and Mt. Kalugong, all within the village.
The barangay started collecting minimal fees from the visitors as environment fee. This went well for at least a month.
Following the incident, La Trinidad Mayor Edna Tabanda ordered closure of Mt. Yangbew while investigations and pursuit to collar the suspects are ongoing.
It is only after the incident the LGU considered the need to assign police and get additional barangay tanods while there is no police station yet in the area.
This unnecessary loss of life due to violence to trekkers shall serve as an eye opener for LGUs banking on tourism to up their economic status. It is not only the physical set-up that needs to be prepared when opening a site for commercial tourism, which shall include police stations. More importantly, the residents must be prepared for whatever impact a tourism activity may bring.